Adjustable-width snow plow

ABSTRACT

A snow plow apparatus comprises a snow plow main blade, end blade sections telescopingly mounted to ends of the main blade for sliding extension and retraction, and mechanical fasteners fixing a selected telescoped position of the end blade sections on the main blade. The main blade has a vertical cross section with linear portions connected by a formed channel-shaped center portion that gives the blade greater bending strength, and includes flanged upper and lower edges. The end blade sections match the main blade&#39;s vertical cross section, and include top and bottom flanges that slidably engage the upper and lower edges. Mechanical fasteners engage aligned holes in the flanges to fix a selected extended position of the blade end sections. End plates attached to the blade end sections retain snow on the face of the main blade during use.

This application claims benefit under 35 USC section 119C= of provisional application Ser. No. 61/863,617, filed Aug. 8, 2013, entitled ADJUSTABLE-WIDTH SNOW PLOW, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to snow plows for trucks and utility vehicles, and more particularly relates to a back-of-vehicle snow plow apparatus (called a “back plow” herein) with adjustable end sections that can be adjusted to a desired width setting, such that a single snow plow apparatus can satisfy different snow plow width requirements.

The end-to-end length dimension of snow plows is important to snow plowing companies and professionals (called “snow plowers” herein) for several reasons, such as needs related to vehicle capabilities, and/or to highway transport requirements, to the snow plow work itself (e.g. a desire for greater width passes at job site(s) or a need for shorter width passes due to width limitations from obstructions), the snow plower's preferences, and other reasons. A more subtle issue for snow plow manufacturers and distributers concerns inventories. Specifically, there are so many different blade lengths desired that the manufacturers and distributers have difficulty keeping sufficient inventories of all the different snow plows in stock that are exactly the right size for each different potential customer. This is especially problematic when inventories of snow plows are low and when a customer urgently needs a plow with very short lead time.

It would be desirable to provide a single back plow capable of satisfying different length dimension requirements, where the length dimension is not known ahead of time, or at least is decided with a very short lead time. Still further, a back plow capable of use on different width vehicles would provide additional flexibility for large plowing operations, where different sized plow widths are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a snow plow apparatus comprises a snow plow main blade, end blade sections telescopingly mounted to ends of the main blade for sliding extension and retraction, and mechanical fasteners for fixing a selected telescoped position of the end blade sections on the main blade.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing a single snow plow apparatus capable of providing a desired adjusted length, comprises providing a snow plow main blade, telescopingly mounting end blade sections on ends of the main blade for sliding extension and retraction, and moving the end blade sections to a desired telescoped position, and mechanically fastening the end blade sections on the main blade to fix the selected telescoped position of the end blade sections on the main blade, thus providing a selected total dimensional length.

In another aspect of the present invention, a snow plow apparatus includes a snow plow main blade defining a length, end blade sections adjustably attached to the main blade for movement to at least three different-blade-width adjusted positions with the end blade sections lying parallel the length in all the positions, and a mechanical fastening system including fasteners to fix a selected one of the at least three positions, whereby the end blade sections can be fixed on the main blade in one of the positions in order to provide a selected total dimensional length.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a back plow with mechanically-lockable adjustable wings embodying the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are top, front, and cross-sectional-side views of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a back plate with wear edge and wing plate with wear edge in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-7 are perspective and front views of the mold board back plate in FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective, side and front views of the end plate assembly in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the end plate of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 12-15 are front perspective, rear perspective, front and side views of a modified back plow with mechanically-lockable adjustable wings embodying the present invention.

FIGS. 16-18 are front perspective, rear perspective, and end views of the mold board assembly of FIG. 12.

FIGS. 19-21 are front perspective, end elevation, and top views of the right wing assembly of FIG. 12.

FIGS. 22-23 are perspective and end views of the right end plate slide of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a right hat channel assembly of FIG. 19.

FIGS. 25-26 are photographs of top views of the back plow of FIG. 1, FIG. 25 showing the right wing in a middle-extended position, FIG. 26 showing the wing in a fully-retracted position, and both FIGS. 25-26 showing a third hole for holding the right wing in a fully-extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present back blade apparatus 30 (i.e. a “back plow”) (FIG. 1) comprises a snow plow main blade assembly 31 (i.e. “main blade”) and right and left end blade assemblies 32 telescopingly mounted to ends of the main blade assembly 31 for sliding extension and retraction. The telescoping mounting arrangement is referred to herein as “adjustability”, since (in the illustrated apparatus 30) it allows the end blade assemblies 32 to be moved to three different extended positions, with mechanical fasteners fixing a selected telescoped position. The adjustability of selecting an extended position allows a seller of apparatus 30 to inventory a single apparatus 30, yet with that single apparatus 30 still satisfy different width requirements of different customers.

The illustrated main blade assembly 31 (FIG. 1) includes a board back blade 33 with brackets 34 forming part of a received mount assembly 35 for picking up the blade apparatus 30. The board back blade 33 (FIG. 6) has a vertical cross section defined by a top edge stiffening flange 36 with upper reverse lip 37, top vertical section 38, channel 39 with angled side walls, bottom vertical section 40, and a bottom edge stiffening flange 41 with lower reverse lip 42. A spacer 43 is attached to the bottom outer edge of the board back blade 33, and there are a series of lower holes 44 for attachment of a wear plate 45 (also called “wear edge” herein). One of the three holes 46 are aligned with a mating hole on the end blade assembly 32 to receive a bolt to fix an extended position of the end blade assemblies 32 on the main blade assembly 31 at a bottom region. The holes 46 also secure an end of the wear plate 45. The top holes 47 in the main board back blade 33 attach a top of the end blade assembly 31 to the back blade assembly 31.

The non-linear shape of the board back plate including the channel 39 and top and bottom edge stiffening flanges 36 adds considerable strength to the apparatus 30, such that a thinner gage material can be used to form the board back blade 33. For example, a 0.18 inch thick steel sheet can be used instead of a 0.25 inch thick sheet (which would typically be used on a flat board plate), which change significantly reduces the total weight of assembly 30, while still maintaining structural integrity and strength of the apparatus 30.

The end blade assemblies 32 (FIG. 8) each include an end plate slide 48 (also called an “end plate” herein) that generally match a vertical cross section of the main board blade 33, and further include a wing plate 49 (also called an “end plate” herein). The end plate slide 48 has a vertical cross section defined by a top edge stiffening flange 51 with reverse lip 52, top vertical section 53, channel 54 with angled side walls, bottom vertical section 55 including a forwardly offset lower portion 56 defining an outboard-open slot 57, and a bottom edge stiffening flange 58 with reverse lip 59. The shape of the end plate 49 allows the end blade assembly 32 to telescopingly slide onto an end of the board back blade 33, with the slot 57 receiving the wear plate 45 on the main board blade 33. The top and bottom edge stiffening flanges 51 and 58 capture the mating top and bottom flanges 36 and 41, holding the end blade assemblies 32 on each end of the main board blade 33.

The channels 39/54 and top flanges 36/51 and bottom flanges 41/58 provide a guide/track that facilitates the extension of the end plate assemblies 32 on the main plate assembly 31. The lower holes 60 attach a wear plate 61 to the end plate slide 48, and at least one hole 60 also provides attachment of a bottom of the end plate slide 48 to the main back blade 33 in one of the selected extended positions. Top holes 62 in the end plate slide 48 also provide attachment of a top of the end plate slide 48 to the main back blade 33 in one of the selected extended positions. A wear plate 63 is attached to a bottom of the wing plate 49. It is noted that unused holes, including holes for fixing the end blade assemblies 32 onto the main blade assembly 31, are covered when the end blade assemblies 32 are adjusted to different positions and when wear plates are attached, which advantageously covers the unused holes and prevents “bleed through” or pass through of plowed snow during use. It is also contemplated that a plug (rubber grommet, fastener, or other material) can be used to plug unused holes.

Notably, the structure providing the present adjustability provides a robust and durable connection of the end plate assemblies 32 to the main back plate assembly 31, such that overall functional strength and integrity is not comprised. At the same time, the adjustability allows a single apparatus 30 to be adjusted to multiple positions (three such adjusted positions being illustrated), thus greatly assisting sellers of the present apparatus 30, since multiple customers can be satisfied by a single apparatus 30. The illustrated apparatus 30 is about 13″ to 22″ height, and can be adjusted to 84 inch, 90 inch or 96 inch widths. However, it is contemplated that alternative sizes are within a scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-4 are perspective, top, front, and cross-sectional side views of the back plow apparatus 30 with mechanically-lockable adjustable wings (end blade assemblies 32) attached to a main blade assembly 31. FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged side view of the apparatus 30 with back blade assembly 31 (including back blade 33 and main wear edge 45) and wing blade assemblies 32 (including a wing plate 33 and wear edge 61) FIGS. 6-7 are perspective and front views of the mold board back plate in FIGS. 1-5. FIGS. 8-10 are perspective, side and front views of the end plate assembly in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the end plate of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a modified version of an apparatus with adjustable wings embodying the present invention. In FIGS. 12-15, similar and identical components, characteristics, and functions are identified using the same number but with a letter “A”. This is done to reduce redundant discussion.

The modified back plow apparatus 30A (FIGS. 12-15) includes a main back blade 31A with mechanically-locked adjustable wings (end plate assemblies 32A). The apparatus 30A includes items 33A-46A, 48A-63A. However, components are modified for increased strength. For example, a corner brace 65A is extended at 45 degrees between the end plate slide 48A and the end plate 49A. Also, the brackets 34 are made heavier duty for increased loading and stress. Also, the main board back blade 33A is modified so that the upper and lower edge stiffening flanges 36A and 41A are formed into tubes. Vertical tube segments 66A (three shown) are welded between the tube flanges 36A and 41A at spaced locations (inboard of ends of the main board back blade 33A). Notably the main blade sections 38A-40A are co-planar.

The top edge stiffening flange 51A is formed as an integral part of the end plate slide 48A (FIG. 22), but the bottom edge stiffening flange is formed by a hat shaped channel 58A/59A formed as a separate part (FIG. 24). The channel stiffening flange 58A is bolted to a bottom of the end plate slide 48A as part of a sandwich abutted assembly when assembling the end blade assemblies 32A to the main blade assembly 31A (FIG. 15). FIG. 25 shows a mid-extended assembled position, FIG. 26 shows a fully retracted assembled position, and not shown but defined by the third hole in FIG. 25 is the fully extended position. The illustrated apparatus 30A is about 13 inch to 22 inch high, about 24 inch deep, and adjustable to 90 inch, 96 inch, and 102 inch widths. Again, alternative sizes and shapes are contemplated to be within a scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A snow plow apparatus comprising: a snow plow main blade; end blade sections telescopingly mounted to ends of the main blade for sliding extension and retraction; and mechanical fasteners for fixing a selected telescoped position of the end blade sections on the main blade.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snow plow main blade defines a non-planar vertical cross sectional shape, and the end blade sections define a mating shape configured for sliding engagement.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snow plow main blade defines a vertical cross sectional shape having a stiffening channel formed along its midsection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snow plow main blade defines a vertical cross sectional shape with top and bottom edges, and wherein the end blade sections include flanges that slidably engage the top and bottom edges.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snow plow main blade defines a vertical cross sectional shape with a first flange, and the end blade sections include a second flange slidingly abutting the first flange, and wherein the fasteners include at least one mechanical fastener extending through the first and second flanges to fix the first and second flanges together.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of the first and second flanges includes at least one hole and the other of the first and second flanges includes a slot overlapping the at least one hole.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein one of the first and second flanges includes at least two holes that can be selectively positioned in alignment with a mating hole in the other of the first and second flanges.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least two holes includes at least three holes.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein unused ones of the at least two holes are covered and thus not exposed to allow pass through of snow when not being used.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein unused ones of the at least two holes are plugged when not being used.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main blade includes a vehicle mount on a rear surface, and the end blade sections include an end capture blade that extends forward from the end blade sections away from the vehicle mount, whereby the snow plow apparatus is a back blade configured to be pulled behind a vehicle with the end capture blades holding scraped snow on the main blade.
 12. A snow plow apparatus comprising: a snow plow main blade defining a length; end blade sections adjustably attached to the main blade for movement to different positions including at least three different-blade-width adjusted positions and lying parallel the length in all the adjusted positions; and a mechanical fastening system including fasteners to fix a selected one of the at least three positions, whereby the end blade sections can be fixed on the main blade in one of the positions in order to provide a selected total dimensional length.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fasteners include threaded shafts.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 12, wherein the mechanical fastening system defines at least three discrete positions of the end blade sections on the main blade.
 15. A method of providing a single snow plow apparatus capable of providing a desired adjusted length, comprising steps of: providing a snow plow main blade; telescopingly mounting end blade sections on ends of the main blade for sliding extension and retraction, and moving the end blade sections to a desired telescoped position; and mechanically fastening the end blade sections on the main blade to fix the selected telescoped position of the end blade sections on the main blade, thus providing a selected total dimensional length.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing the snow plow main blade includes providing discrete holes defining at least two different discrete positions, and the step of moving the end blade sections includes moving the end blade sections between the at least two different discrete positions.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of moving the end blade sections includes moving the end blade sections to one of the at least two discrete positions and extending at least one fastener through one of the discrete holes and simultaneously includes covering another one of the at least two discrete holes that is not being used to prevent pass through of plowed snow.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of moving the end blade sections includes moving the end blade sections to one of the at least two discrete positions and extending at least one fastener through one of the discrete holes and simultaneously includes plugging another one of the at least two discrete holes that is not being used to prevent pass through of plowed snow. 